PureCircle Ltd., a producer and marketer of high-purity stevia ingredients, increased production of its new ingredient, PureCircle Alpha. The ingredient is a proprietary combination of steviol glycosides, said to have a clean, sugar-like taste capable of achieving deeper calorie reductions in foods and beverages.

“PureCircle was the pioneer of broad-scale Reb A production and we are still the largest producer in the world,” said Jason Hecker, VP Global Marketing & Innovation. “But we have learned that Reb A is not the right solution for all product applications. Our search for a better performing stevia sweetener led us to PureCircle Alpha.”

The first products sweetened with the new ingredient are expected on shelves by June. The company’s Global Technical Center developed dozens of ready-to-go formulations across food and beverage categories, including tea and dairy products. Rigorous testing and sensory evaluation have shown an improved taste and sweetness profile compared with other stevia ingredients.